Kano – Stakeholders in the 2026 Nationwide League One have called on the league organizers to adjust the match schedule at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, citing player safety concerns linked to high daytime temperatures.
Matches are currently being scheduled during peak afternoon hours, when the sun is at its strongest. Stakeholders say the artificial synthetic turf at the venue absorbs and retains heat, making the playing surface excessively hot and increasing the risk of injuries to players.
“The surface becomes unplayable under the midday sun. Players are coming off with burns, dehydration, and muscle strains that could have been avoided,” one stakeholder said. “This is not just uncomfortable; it’s a safety issue.”
To address the concern, stakeholders are requesting that matches at the Sani Abacha Stadium be scheduled either in the early morning or from 4:00 PM onwards, when temperatures drop and the turf cools down.
They have formally called on the NLO secretariat to review and adjust the fixture timing to protect player welfare and ensure fair competition.
The NLO has not yet issued a public response to the request. Organizers are expected to weigh the logistical demands of the competition against the health and safety recommendations raised by the clubs.
The Nationwide League One serves as Nigeria’s third-tier football league and a key pathway for developing domestic talent.
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